Date:         Fri, 14 Dec 2001 20:01:36 -0800
Reply-To:     Myron Lind <mdlind@RICA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Myron Lind <mdlind@RICA.NET>
Subject:      Re: filtering out off-color jokes, rants, etc - sort of long
Comments: To: abusguy2@SPRINGMAIL.COM

> Ahhhh, CENSORSHIP.  I must respectfully and strongly disagree
with this idea >of censoring the list.  Primary point: 90% of all
material anywhere could be found >offensive by someone.  If
someone says they like Baywindows better that splits, >and this
offends me, should it mean they are not allowed to state this
opinion? No >way!  We are all adults, we will all be offended by
someone or something at

I don't think it is appropriate to confuse opinions with
attitudes. Obviously there is some overlap, but I would be hard
pressed to have the previous example be "offensive" to anyone.
What people do to each other when they disagree is often very
offensive. That is an important distinction.

Attitudes (Jokes,comments, etc) that demean others, or make
inappropriate fun of others, don't really have to do that much
with Vanagons. They don't seem to me to have that much to do with
most of the people who drive Vanagons.

I believe in free speech. But I don't believe that free speech
makes is morally or ethically OK for me to purposely degrade other
people or groups of people. Each person can think about what they
might send and simply use good judgment. You are correct, some
people will still be offended. Peter's request is not about
censorship. It is about "warning" those who might be offended that
they "might be offended". I come here for Vanagons, enjoy some of
the jokes, and hope that the list topics remain true to it's
primary purpose--Vanagons and those who drive them.